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Sea slugs & snails

Commercial Top

Rochia nilotica

Also known as: Button Shell, Commercial Top Shell, Commercial Trochus, Common Turban Shell, Giant Top Shell, Periwinkle Shell, Pyramid Shell, Pyramid Top, Smooth Top Shell, Tectus Snail, Top Shell Snail, Top Shell, Top Snail, Trocus Shell, Trocus Snail, Turban Snail, Trochus niloticus

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Adult
@fishx6 · Madang Resort Hotel, Papua New Guinea · May 20121 / 2
01

Overview

Found sometimes, in large numbers in eel grass, and over shallow mud and sandy bottoms, of coastal reefs.

Used extensively in the shell craft industry and a source of mother-of-pearl.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Body shape
nodules
Behaviour
loose groups

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found sometimes, in large numbers in eel grass, and over shallow mud and sandy bottoms, of coastal reefs.

RANGE
04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classGastropoda
    4. orderTrochida
    5. familyTrochidae
    6. genusRochia
    7. speciesRochia nilotica (Linnaeus, 1767)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Trochida

    Cone Top Shell

    Trochus conus

    1 photo

    Tapestry Turban

    Turbo petholatus

    1 photo

    Variable Stomatella

    Stomatella auricula

    2 photos

    West Indian Top Shell

    Cittarium pica

    3 photos